Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato will join string trio Time for Three on Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hamel Music Center for Joyce DiDonato and Time for Three: "Emily - No Prisoner Be," a Classical Series event presented by the Wisconsin Union Theater (WUT) and the Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee.
The performance combines music, poetry and theatrical elements inspired by the life and writings of 19th-century poet Emily Dickinson. The program explores the themes of identity, creativity and self-expression and features original compositions and arrangements by award-winning composer Kevin Puts.
Comprised of violinists Nick Kendall and Zach DePue and bassist Ranaan Meyer, Time for Three breaks boundaries of classical, jazz and folk genres.
In addition to being a globally renowned vocalist, DiDonato is an educator and advocate with a desire to bring the transformative power of music to the world.
“This collaboration between Joyce and Time for Three is unexpected and magical. It’s Kevin Puts’ brainstorm, and wow, did he get it right,” WUT Director Elizabeth Snodgrass said. “His work, ‘Emily – No Prisoner Be,' is a song cycle written for them, and I would say for Emily Dickinson, too. Emily’s poem – and the first song in the cycle – ‘They Shut Me Up in Prose’ conveys the lack of recognition and humanity she experienced. This work, this project, is a testament to her exquisite poetry and her resiliency as a woman in a man’s world.”
Tickets range from $8 to $89 and can be purchased online, in person at the Memorial Union Box Office or by phone at 608-265-2787.
Other Classical Series performances include soprano Erin Morley and tenor Lawrence Brownlee on March 5, the Doric String Quartet on March 22, and the Attacca Quartet with Caroline Shaw on April 16.
More information about tickets to this and upcoming performances is available at union.wisc.edu/theater.